Suicidal Tendencies Enlist Xavier Ware as New Drummer

This is like deja vu, drummer-based deja vu. Suicidal Tendencies found themselves in the need of a new stickman quite a few times over the last few years—first, after Dave Lombardo left in 2021 after five years. He was replaced by Brandon Pertzborn until 2023 when Greyson Nekrutman took over for a year before leaving to join Sepultura. That led them to the heavy hitting Jay Weinberg, who announced his departure earlier this month, citing the upcoming birth of his first child. Now, after that wild drummer ride, Suicidal Tendencies has recruited Xavier Ware to fill the void.

Suicidal Tendencies made the announcement in a post to their socials:

“We’re SToked to introduce you to X, the new SxTx drummer! Breedxdrums

“X has already recorded some tracks for the new Cyco Miko album and is ready to officially jump on board with ST STarting with the ShipRocked Cruise.

“This will be ST’s 3rd time doing ShipRocked and each time keeps getting better.

“Looking forward to seeing you there and or any of the shows/ festivals coming this year.

“So please welcome X and look out for lots of new annoucements coming soon from ST and the Cyco Family for 2026 and beyond!”

Ware may seem familiar to you, as he’s worked as a fill-in drummer for a while now. The North Carolina hitter quite literally advertises himself as a “drummer for hire,” having recently subbed in for Bilmuri while his drummer was out. Ware’s been drumming since most of us were still quite untalented, at the age of two.

“I started in church and went on to perform in churches around my local and surrounding areas. With church, came school. Schooling allowed me to develop my music reading skills, perfect my ability in dynamics and strengthen musical techniques. I gigged throughout high school with different musicians and learned how to play jazz drums. This created the opportunity to audition and make the all-state jazz band in North Carolina three out of four times. In college I learned a bit of music theory and enhanced my jazz drumming. Since college, my playing and touch expanded, and have not been the same since! Out of college, I gigged around the triangle area of North Carolina with peers and professors alike.

“I hope my sound can continue to touch every heart, soul, and mind. I am very grateful for the opportunity to play drums in whatever setting, and I hope to be able to do so forever.”